Behind the Smile

I have to admit, I hate pretense. This world is crying out for the real. Does anyone really "care" any more?

“How are you?  How are you?” we ask without thinking

Do we want to know the truth, or would we prefer lip-synching?

It’s like saying “Have a good day” just to be polite

Just a statement we make, common and trite

 

The truth be known, we don’t always want to know

As we utter these words to the average Joe

The response is the same from the majority that answer

“Just fine,” they say with a few word enhancer

 

When behind the smile and the “Just fine”

Their heart is breaking but they want to be kind

So they keep on pretending and smiling politely

Behind a mask of pretense, common and tritely

 

Reviews

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

Carole, this is so true.. i do it all the time, if i were to say how i really am people would run the other way lol i do want to hear hoe people are doing, really doing.. still as your poem goes

The truth be known, we don't always want to know

As we utter these words to the average Joe

The response is the same from the majority that answer

"Just fine," they say with a few word enhancer

This is the norm.. love this poem of reality.

Chloe
xoxo

[T. L. O'Neal]

This is so true, does anyone truely know what's in one's mind and heart. There's so much pain in the world but must people can only see their own. T

[Debra Stevens Edwards (..]

Carole it is often not easy to be there for people because you learn quickly that most people who ask how you are really don't want to know. It often is very hard to set aside our own feeling to be there for those in need. I know when it is someone I care for I have to Iet go of my needs to be there for them. Many times that is very hard. Most people want to believe you are fine and it is easier to just let them off the hook. LOL. After a while you begin to be amused by it, although it is just sad. You put this very well. Great job.
Debby

[Ms. Belsito]

There is no question in my mind that there is a lot of cowardiceness and cruelty which is basically indifference.

It sure is not a matter of kindness!

Considering the amount of cruelty it is clear to me why such people keep their distance from each other,when they realize they are not going to manipulate their wants nor needs from the other.

As you know there are still quite the number of buddy system type people of both genders that I literally get to the point of feeling naturally actual repulsion.

I have a habit of getting rid of that feeling though in the right and effective way, as quickly as is within reason, to not let it take control over me.

Canada

[hyancynthstofeedthysoul]

My head turning answer is, ''I am alive and almost well.'' Sometimes it takes a while for it to soak in. People often say, ''That's nice,'' followed by, '' what did you say?'' I reply, ''Just seeing if you were paying attention.''

[TL Boehm]

such smart writing here. Like the clerk who says - have a nice day....its all automatic responding. This is a great poem - and a gentle admonishment - especially to those of us who say we are writers...its all about the power of our words. So we shouldn't cheapen them by putting our mouths on autopilot.

[Carrie Montgomery]

goodness, you always write "make -you - thinkers". I have been guilty of this myself, will have to watch the ol' mouth a little more. Your poems are always full of wit and wisdom. You are a clever and talented woman.

[AK]

I usually tell people they "look GREAT today" or ask them if they've been working out. If nothing else it makes them feel good about themselves, if only for a few moments. But then, my mission is to try to make people smile I think. That's why I want my headstone to read' "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust - Glad it was him, and not one of us". I think that will leave a smile on the face of everyone who may visit my old cold grave. That's important because I'm sure not going to be laying six feet under decaying away. I'm going to be having the time of my afterlife with a smile on my face and a giggle or two in my step.
People are God's work. If we touch a person's life we have served God for a moment.
So, how YOU doin'? And I mean that! I am interested in people.

[Crystal L. Test]

This is so true! My Mom's bosses do this and then she actually tells them all of her woes. I'm like they're just being polite. She says they shouldn't ask if they don't want to know. Hello is a truly universal and non-commital greeting. Although, I feel part of the problem is that we're all so busy and wrapped in our own lives that we no longer do want to know who our fellow beings are on most days. I know I'm terrible about that, myself.

This brings up a good point.

[Dezaraye]

I'm with you on this one, Carole. It's like Helen said, people say "love ya" without even thinking anymore. I'm not one to mince words, so if I say or ask something, I really do want to know and I really do mean it when I tell someone that I love them.

Society has created masks for us all. Unfortunately, I know that I wear mine more often than not. It's easy to hide behind.